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Science News Archive March 2026


Page 24 of 52

Why chronic pain leads to depression for some but not others

Research suggests that persistent pain drives progressive changes in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in emotional regulation. This can shape whether people develop depression or remain emotionally resilient. The study's findings challenge the idea that depression is an inevitable consequence of long-term pain.

When the Earth moved

A new study published in Science reveals that tectonic plates began moving around 3.5 billion years ago, with the Pilbara Craton in western Australia showing evidence of plate movement and drift. The research used ancient rock samples to track the motion of the plates, providing insights into Earth's history and evolution.

Cerebrovascular lesions in down syndrome do not follow a linear course

A longitudinal study on individuals with Down syndrome reveals that cerebrovascular lesions do not follow a linear course, fluctuating and even decreasing over time. The analysis shows significant variability in the evolution of these lesions, particularly in regions already affected by Alzheimer's disease.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Gerd Faltings to receive the 2026 Abel Prize

Gerd Faltings will be honored for his groundbreaking solutions to the Mordell and Lang conjectures, revolutionizing number theory and Diophantine equations. He is the first German to win the Abel Prize, which recognizes academic work of extraordinary depth and influence.

Researchers discover way for motors to mimic real muscles

Scientists have created a network of simple mechanical motors that replicate the key features of actomyosin, the molecular machinery underpinning human muscle contraction. The system 'self-organised' into coordinated travelling waves of motion and automatically adapted as the mechanical load increased, just like human muscles.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Striking a chord: How music primes our minds for connection

A new study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that listening to harmonically consonant chord progressions during face-to-face interaction strengthens neural activity in brain areas associated with social perception, emotional processing, and interpersonal connection. This suggests that music may help promote social bonding...

Queensland GPs face barriers in supporting VAD: QUT study

A QUT study found wide variation in GP involvement in voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Queensland, highlighting the need for improved remuneration, streamlined processes, and broader education. GPs reported confusion about who was eligible and how to discuss VAD with patients.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Scientists “turbocharge” immune cells to attack prostate cancer

Researchers engineered supercharged T cells that can recognize and kill prostate cancer cells more effectively. By fine-tuning how they physically interact with tumor cells, the T cells form a stronger bond, allowing them to deliver a targeted immune response without damaging healthy tissue.

Old-growth forests store a lot more carbon than managed forests

A new study from Lund University reveals that old-growth forests in Sweden store 78-89% more carbon than managed forests, mainly due to large carbon stocks in the soil. The study's findings have significant implications for climate change mitigation and forest management.

Replicating bacteria DNA relies on accordionlike folds to separate

Researchers at Rice University discovered that bacterial cells use SMC proteins to enable the separation of their circular chromosomes during replication. This process relies on repulsive forces strengthened by SMC, allowing the cell to split neatly into two with its own copy of DNA.

Meat consumption and cognitive health by APOE genotype

A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that high meat consumption is associated with better cognitive trajectories and lower dementia risk among individuals with the APOE 34/44 genotype. The finding contradicts previous expectations, highlighting potential clinical and public health relevance for this population.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Urban living may shield against stroke

A new University of Michigan study suggests that urban living may shield against stroke. Residents in densely developed neighborhoods had a 2.5% lower risk of suffering a first-time stroke compared to those in less developed areas.

Testosterone improves fat distribution for older women

A novel study found that using a topical testosterone gel in conjunction with exercise can selectively reduce visceral fat in older women who have suffered a hip fracture. This reduction in visceral fat has beneficial health impacts, including decreased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Goethe university study reveals injury risks in professional dance

Professional dancers experience high levels of physical strain and ergonomic stress, with 25% developing osteoarthritis by their late twenties. The study suggests optimizing training sessions, flooring, and organizational changes to reduce injury risk and wear-related conditions.

RURAL health study reveals key drivers of chronic disease in assumption parish

A recent study published by Pennington Biomedical Research Center has shed light on the key drivers of chronic disease in Assumption Parish. The research found that residents with lower education levels are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. This correlation suggests a strong link between edu...

TikTok’s mental health ‘minefield’

A systematic review of social media platforms reveals that TikTok contains a substantial proportion of misleading information about mental health and neurodivergence, with higher rates of misinformation than other platforms. The study emphasizes the importance of credible sources and evidence-based content to combat spreading false ide...

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Physical activity improves work ability

A 45-year study found that early life leisure-time physical activity is linked to better work ability in late adulthood. Higher levels of activity throughout the lifespan contribute significantly to work ability, with a dose-response association observed in late adulthood.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Plants that light up when they’re under attack

Researchers have engineered plants to glow in the dark when stressed, infected, or attacked by insects, providing a new window into plant behavior. The discovery offers potential for early detection and disease resistance, as well as support for sustainable agriculture.

Small shrinking organ may prove decisive for life or death

A new study from Aarhus University reveals the thymus, a small organ previously believed to cease functioning early in adult life, plays a lifelong role in the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. The healthier the thymus, patients respond better to immunotherapy treatment.

Blood pressure-lowering drug with a light switch

Researchers have discovered how a light-switchable beta blocker interacts with its biological receptor, allowing for targeted treatment of high blood pressure. The new compound's shape changes in response to light, reducing its potency and minimizing side effects.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

High meat consumption linked to lower dementia risk in genetic risk group

A new study from Karolinska Institutet found that older people with a genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease who consume relatively large amounts of meat have a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia. The study also shows that the type of meat is important, with a lower proportion of processed meat associated with a lower risk of de...

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Survey suggests one million UK adults had drink spiked in previous year

A recent UK survey conducted by Anglia Ruskin University found that approximately 2% of adults reported being victims of drink spiking in the previous 12 months, equating to nearly one million people. Women were more likely to experience spiking, and incidents are often linked to sexual assault, physical assault, theft, or 'pranks'.

Optimus protein

Researchers at Kyoto University identified DHX29 as a central regulator of codon-dependent gene expression. They found that DHX29 preferentially interacts with ribosomes decoding non-optimal codons and recruits a protein complex to selectively repress mRNAs enriched in these codons.

Largest study of its kind tests hydration strategy for kidney stones

The largest behavioral study on kidney stone prevention tested a hydration program with Bluetooth-enabled smart water bottles and personalized hydration goals. While participants did hydrate more, the increase wasn't large enough to lower symptomatic kidney stone recurrence across the group.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Biomed engineering student at NJIT shines a light on rare colon cancer

A recent study by NJIT student Eesha Oza sheds light on squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the colon, a rare form of colon cancer that accounts for only 0.02-0.1% of all cases. The research analyzes 62 SCC case reports to identify patterns in disease presentation, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes.

Warfarin patient self-management in the US health care system

A single-group implementation trial successfully introduced warfarin patient self-management in the US healthcare system, providing critically needed evidence to accelerate its implementation. The study's results support safe and effective patient self-management of anticoagulation therapy.

New model uses team interactions to predict next steps in collaborative work

Researchers developed a predictive model called Programmer Flow by Information Scent for teams (PFIS-T) that incorporates both teammates' activity and communication to predict a user's next action. The model achieved an accuracy of 81.5% in predicting team navigations, improving accuracy by up to 16.7% over previous models.

Discovery of a bacterium that protects against long Covid

Researchers at Université catholique de Louvain discovered a bacterium, Dolosigranulum pigrum, that reduces the persistence of symptoms characteristic of long Covid. The study found that this bacterium is associated with improved recovery following viral respiratory infections.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Postpartum Medicaid extensions reduce uninsurance

A new study found that extending Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum reduced uninsurance among Black women in non-expansion states, but racial disparities persisted. The study analyzed data from 2016-2019 and 2021-2023 across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Major collaboration launched to protect Lake Erie and Rouge River

A three-year grant from the Great Lakes Water Authority funds a research team led by Wayne State University to improve phosphorus removal efficiency at the GLWA Water Resource Recovery Facility. The project aims to reduce harmful algal blooms and ensure compliance with stringent environmental regulations.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

MSU study demonstrates faster discovery of therapeutic drugs through AI

A team of researchers at MSU used machine learning to predict how chemicals will influence gene expression, leading to the discovery of promising compounds for the treatment of liver cancer and a chronic lung disease. The study results from years of interdisciplinary work across multiple disciplines and institutes.